Between the Stealth and U 87 Ai, the Stealth comes out ahead in max spl, while the U 87 Ai wins on type. Overall, the Stealth scores 73.9 and the U 87 Ai scores 48.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Stealth is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 25.3 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the Stealth if you care most about max spl. The biggest gaps in its favor are max spl.
Pick the U 87 Ai if you care most about type. Its strongest claims are type.
Both ship with comparable connection, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Stealth is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Aston - Stealth wins
- ▲Max SPL — 13.39% more. 144 dB vs 127 dB.
Why Neumann - U 87 Ai wins
- ▲Type: Condenser (vs Dynamic).
Spec comparison
Spec
| Spec | Aston - Stealth | Neumann - U 87 Ai |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dynamic | Condenserlead |
| Polar pattern | Cardioid | Multi (3 patterns) |
| Frequency response | 30Hz–20kHz | 20Hz–20kHz |
| Max SPL | 144 dBlead | 127 dB |
Connectivity
| Spec | Aston - Stealth | Neumann - U 87 Ai |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | XLR | XLR |
| Headphone out | false | false |
Spec-level deep dives
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